In addition to discussing the site in High Street which is referred to in the City Surveyor's letter of the 11th January, Councillor Cooper drew attention to two other sites, one being at the junction of High Street and Station Road, and the other a de-licensed public house in High Street much nearer to the Town. 

The Bank Representatives were of opinion that the site of the de-licensed public house was not the best position for a Bank, but the site at the corner of High Street and Station Road was quite a good one, and might be favourably considered if it could be acquired at a reasonable figure. Councillor Cooper was of opinion, however, that it would prove an expensive purchase, and ultimately it was agreed to adhere to the original intention of acquiring the site referred to in the City Surveyor's letter of the 11th January. 

Mr Manzoni expressed the view that it might be possible to secure sufficient land for the purpose of the at an inclusive figure of £3 per square yard, but there were many interests involved, and it would be necessary to come to terms with both the freeholder and the leaseholder before anything further could be done. If agreement could be reached between such persons, Councillor Hooper intimated that there would be no difficulty in finding other accommodation for the tenants of the cottages on the site, and the Public Works Department would be prepared to demolish the front shops and houses which they already own, and thus give a clear site for the erection of the Bank according to the prescribed building line. 

Mr Manzoni suggested that the Public Works Department should purchase the site, and pay for such portion as they may require for widening purposes the figure which the District Valuer would sanction, and that the Bank Committee should pay the remaining cost of the land. This was considered an equitable way of dealing with the matter; and as there would be a considerably larger area involved in the purchase than the Bank Committee would require, it was also considered preferable that the Public Works Department  should deal with the purchase rather than the Bank. Mr Manzoni undertook to proceed on these lines, and would notify the Bank of any arrangements which might be reached in the matter.

February 17th 1936

280     RESOLVED:- That the foregoing memorandum be received and entered on the Minutes, and the General Committee recommended to approve the proposal that the Public Works Department should purchase the site at the rear of High Street, and that after retaining such portion as may be required for widening purposes at the price fixed by the District Valuer, the remainder should be transferred to the Bank who would pay the remainder of the purchase price, it being also understood that the Public Works & Town Planning Committee should have the first opportunity of purchasing the present Harborne Branch premises on terms to be mutually agreed, if the purchase of the site referred to is effected.

2166 RESOLVED:- That the foregoing report be approved and the General Manager authorised to carry out the suggestions therein contained, except in regard to the electric light switches at the Balsall Heath Branch, in which case he was asked to consider whether an alternative method could be adopted.

It was also:

2167   RESOLVED:- That the General Manager be given authority to install box lantern lights from time to time where necessary, at any of the Branches, reporting his actions to this Sub-Committee.

I have had investigations made in regard to the consumption of electricity at certain branches which appear to be excessive, and as a result of my enquiries and discussions with the Branch Managers I find that there are one or two ways in which the consumption can be reduced. These points I deal with below: 

Aston Cross Branch. 

The wall light provided for the Burroughs posting machine was fixed at such an angle as to cause shadows on the ledger cards, with the result that additional ceiling lights are used during the operation of ledger posting. 

The branch is rather a dark one, the ceilings being low and the windows comparatively small, with the result that for part of every day some lights are required for the ledger desks. 

I have given instructions to the Bank's Engineer to have a suitable bracket and light substituted for the present wall light, and thus avoid the necessity of using ceiling lights for the purpose of ledger posting. 

Balsall Heath Branch. 

The reason for high consumption at this branch would appear to be the manner in which the wiring was arranged. Four lights are operated by one switch, and this means considerable extravagance. If, for example, a clerk is working on the ledger desk at the rear of the office, and requires artificial light to meet his requirements, the switch puts on four lights. Again, if only one cashier is working at the counter and requires artificial light, it necessitates the whole row of lights being put on. 

The same trouble with the wall light for the Burroughs posting machine as is referred to for Aston Cross applies also to Balsall Heath Branch, and when a ceiling light is put on at the latter branch it means that three other lights are also being used unnecessarily. 

The outside Key Sign, in the opinion of the Bank's Engineer, is very wasteful as regards consumption of electricity, and in my judgement the Sign is useless from a lighting point of view. 

I have instructed the Bank's Engineer to fix a suitable wall bracket at this branch for ledger posting purposes, and thus avoid the use of ceiling lights. 

With regard to the general lighting arrangements involving four lights on one switch, the Bank's Engineer is of opinion that in the long run economy would be effected if this wiring was re-arranged so as to put the lights on single switches, or alternatively two lights on one switch. This, however, would be a contractor's job, and may cost anywhere in the region of £15 to complete the work. 

Sparkbrook Branch. 

At this branch the light necessary for the Burroughs posting machine is supplied from an ordinary office light over the machine, but the switch operates two lights, and therefore, there is a wastage of one light of 100 watts whenever this machine is in use. 

The Key Sign is one of the old type, and is also responsible ,in the opinion of the Bank's Engineer, for much wastage of electricity. 

I have instructed the Bank's Engineer to fix a wall bracket and light in a suitable manner to be used in connection with the Burrough's posting machine. 

. . . . . . . .

 Generally speaking, I am of opinion that the old Key Signs should be disconnected so far as lighting is concerned, as they are of no practical value from an advertising point of view; in fact, some time ago, when visits of inspection were made by Members of the Committee during evening hours, the lighting effect was so poor that it was decided to introduce a much more effective type of box lantern. These new box lights have been fitted at Alum Rock, Duddeston, Saltley, Sparkhill, Wheeler Street and Yardley Branches, and have proved satisfactory. I think the principle may be gradually adopted at other branches, and the present Key lantern sign done away with.

J P Hilton.

September 3rd 1934.